Doxology

Doxology in Orthodox Christian practice refers to a short verse or hymn praising God. The word comes from the Greek doxa, meaning glory, and logos, meaning word or speaking. Doxologies are a continuation of the practice of praising God in the pre-Christian Jewish synagogues.

Usage

Doxologies, as a form, are used in many religious practices, non-Christian as well as Christian. The form was used widely in Old Testament times as well as through the Apostolic era. St Paul used doxologies throughout his letters. Notable examples appear in Romans 16:27, Galatians 1:5, and Ephesians 3:21. A non-Paulian example is Jude 25. During the Arian period, the doxology Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, soon to be extended with the addition "now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen," came into wide spread use.

Other doxologies found in the services of the Church as well during individual prayers include:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen, found in Matthew 6:13. This doxology alludes to the form in 1 Chronicles 29:11-12: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O, Lord, and art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all (KJV). It is pronounced by the priest following the Our Father during the Divine Liturgy and other services.